Tube-cleaning device.



No. 784,859. PATENTED MAR. 7, 1905.

J. F. STEPHENSON.

TUBE CLEANING DEVICE.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 26. 1904.

Patented March 7, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN F. STEPHENSON, OF ALBANY, NEW YORK.

TUBE-CLEANING DEVICE- SPEGIFICATION forming part of Iietters Patent No. 784,359, dated March 7, 19 05.

- Application filed July 28, 1904. Serial No. 218,216,-

To all whont it ib/by concern:

Be itknown that 1. J oHN'F. STEPHENSON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Albany, in the county of Albany and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Tube-Cleaning Devices,

of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a device for cleaning the interior surface of dues or pipes which have become obstructed by the incrustations formed on the interior surface-such as rust, soot, &c. or removing any loose sediment or deposits in the flue or pipe which would tend around the opening area and prevent the free flow or passage of any fluids, air, or heat therethrough.

This device is particularly adapted and designed for use in connection with a steamboiler of the vertical type where the open ends of the tube are in such a position with the bonnet fitting close to the top as to almost prohibit them from be ng cleaned by the ordinary means. \Vith these conditions in view l have provided a guiding-tube smaller in diameter than thatof the boiler-tube and which is so formed as to allow of its bcing'readily placed in position at the end of the boiler-tube successfully and the cleaning device operated from a convenient position by means of a flexible connection of suitable length.

The exact construction and means of operatingthe device is shown morefully in the accompanying drawings and described in detail in this specilication hereinafter.

in the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specilh-wtion, Figure 1 is ageneral or side elevation of a tubular boiler of the vertical type, showing the methods of bringing'the guiding-tube in connection with one of the boiler-pipes and operating the cleaning "device therein by means of a flexible operating-handle from the outside. Fig. 2 is aside elevation of the scraper and cleaner, showing the construction and arrangement of the parts. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the scraper in position in a boilertube. Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the scraper, showing a sectional view taken on the dotted line 4 4, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 IS a detail v ew showing an attachment for the end of the guiding-tube to enable it to Scraper-arms Care pivoted and secured in the I slots 7) of the collar B by means of a project ing portion 0, extending through said slots,v

and a pin f, holding the scrapers in position. A shoulder abutting against the opposite side of the collar B secures the scrapers against movement in the opposite direction. The

slots 6 are such a size and form as to permit a free movement of the scrapers outwardly and a small amount of 7 play for adjustment sidewise. scrapers Q by means of r1 vets 9. These springs Flat springs (Z are secured to 'thc,

engage the shaft A and act to force the scraperr" arms (J outwardly, and thus insure contact with the inner walls of the tube D and at the same time provide aeertain flexibility and permit the scrapers to adjust themselves automatically to variations of the interior walltube. The forward end of each of these scrapers (J are provided with a cutting edge which insures the material being removed from the inner surface of the ,tube as the device is drawn through. At points where the springs (i bear against thescrapers 0 openings c are provided, which permit'any material which would therwise collect between a spring and its scraper and prevent the operation of the device to pass through the opening, and thus leave a clear space for the depression of the flat spring (1.

At the end of the'central shaft A opposite to that at which the collar B islocated a flexible operating-rodA"is fastened, which in turn is provided with an operating-handle E. By

referring to FigT l the function of this flexi ble operatingrod will be readily comprehended, as it allows the scraper and cleaner to i be easily used in connection with guidingtube E, which has an angular bend at one end thereof, and thus permits of the application of the tool and tube F to the endsof the boilertubes, which are usually in an inclosed space, as shown This guiding-tube also serves as a receptacle for the scrapings as they. are rethe handle E to project to the outside thereof,

moved from the boiler-tube. 'A slot is provided in one-end of this guide-tube, allowing so as to be grasped by the operator. I

An attachment is shown inFig. to be used at the end of the guiding-tube F to enable the operator to easily hold the same in place against the end of a boiler flue or tube. This i out.

device is adjustable to device is provided. with a number of projectmg arms G to engage theend of said tube,

-' with spaces between said arms to allow the scrapings--such as soot, &c.to fall out onto i the fire. Openings, such as Mare provided at the elbow of the guiding-tube F to allow any material which falls into said tube to pass tubes-such as boilertubes of the vertical type, as shown-- which are diiiicult of access for cleaning by the usual means.

Having now described my invention, what l 1 claim as new, and desire ,to secure by Letters t Patent, is

1. In a device for cleaning fines or pipes, l the combination with a central shaft, of a collar secured on the end portion thereof and havl ing openings in its outer part, a series of shouldered longitudinal scrapers havlng their shoul- 1 ders bearing against the collar, said scrapers having ends extending through the collaropenmgs and engaged by pins to afford a pivotal connection with the collar, springs connected to the scrapers and bearing against the I shaft to normally expand the scrapers, and an operating-handle flexibly connected with the shaft.

2. In a device for cleaning fines or pipes, the combination with a central shaft, of a collar secured on the end portion thereof and having openings in its outer part, aseriesot'shouldered longitudinal scrapers containing apertures and having their shoulders bearing against the collar, said scrapers having ends extending through the collar-openings and engaged-by pins to afl'ord a pivotal connection with the. collar, springs connected to the scrapers and bearingagainst the shaft to normally expand the scrapers, said springs working in relation to the scraper-apertures, and an operating-handle connected to the shaft.

Signed at Albany, in the county of Albany and State of New York, this 11th day of July,

JOHN F. STEP!lEblSOtl.v

W'itnesses:

'l. l. VAN AN'IWERI, l'luou A. Anson). 

